Stronger Together Through Community: Weekly Message from Maggie Campbell, President and CEO of DAMC

Many people have told me how grateful they are to be in Arlington during the COVID-19 crisis. Frankly, I am too.

Grateful? During a pandemic?

This Thursday, we’re premiering the final episode in our Downtown Arlington Roots podcast in which our very special guests reflect on what makes Arlington, well, Arlington. 

Tillie Burgin joins her son Jim Burgin in recounting the early days of Mission Arlington and its vision to fill people with love and hope, especially during hard times. Tillie inherited her tireless commitment from her father, who owned the local gas station. He would often come home late at night and tell her, “There’s always one more to fill up.”

In her thirteen years as executive director of the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, hometown girl Carolyn Mentesana has seen countless examples of people coming together to make Arlington a better, kinder place. Even the existence of the foundation itself is extraordinary. Arlington is the only city – anywhere – that used Barnett Shale revenue to endow a foundation in dedicated support of its non-profit community.

Multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artist, longtime Arlington resident, and Miss Tillie superfan Kirk Franklin shares stories of his faith in “God’s kindness and the friendship of others.” Through his non-profit Camp Lotus summer music program, Kirk strives to “permeate the darkness” of troubling situations so that talented kids have the courage to dream about bright futures. 

Here’s a sneak peek.

Thank you for helping our Downtown Arlington Roots podcast surpass 51,000 views! Please join us this Thursday, May 28 at 4:00 p.m. for our series finale Rootin’ For Each Other which celebrates Arlington’s big and generous heart.

If you’ve missed any of our previous episodes, you can listen to them anytime and anywhere you listen to podcasts, including iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, and Downtown Arlington Facebook Live. 

DOWNTOWN ARLINGTON DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT RALLY: JUNE 4-7, 2020  

Be sure to mark your calendar for the Downtown Arlington Drive-In Restaurant Rally, a four-day call to action in support of our small and locally-owned business community.

The Restaurant Rally is scheduled for Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7, 2020.

Downtown businesses have shown incredible resiliency in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, and now they need our help. Involvement in the rally is a straightforward, open invitation for you to patronize at least one Downtown Arlington business every day of the four-day weekend.

Participating Downtown restaurants and bars will be offering a variety of dine-in, carry out and curbside pick-up options. Many also have expanded patio seating and will offer Restaurant Rally specials.

In addition to longstanding local favorites, there are a number of new, recently-opened restaurants and businesses ready to be discovered. 

For more details and a list of participants and specials, visit our Downtown Arlington Drive-In Restaurant Rally event page at downtownarlington.org/events/rally and follow Downtown Arlington’s social media channels. Partial proceeds generated throughout the weekend will benefit Mission Arlington.  

If you rally for them, they will rally for you!

CAPS & GOWNS & DOWNTOWN  

We know that social distancing is the single most effective way to stop the spread of viruses like COVID-19. So out of an abundance of caution, schools across North Texas have relocated their Spring 2020 graduation ceremonies to large venues with plenty of elbow room. Consequently, Arlington has become DFW’s high school graduation headquarters!

Over 50 area high schools (and counting) are holding ceremonies in Globe Life Field, AT&T Stadium, and the Levitt Pavilion from late May through the end of June. This is another great opportunity for our businesses to welcome new and returning customers to our city and Downtown. In preparation, we’re updating our Downtown Delivers platform to include patio seating options, dog-friendly accommodations, and other occupancy-related details. Watch our social media for additional information about grad promotions and specials.

MASKS, MUSIC AND SUMMER MAGIC 

Our community has come together to support each other in so many ways. How can we help you? Here are just three ways we hope might lighten your burden and lift your spirit.

Free Masks: In partnership with the Texas Rangers, Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau and Downtown Arlington Management Corporation, the City of Arlington and Tarrant County are handing out free boxes of protective masks to Arlington businesses. The disposable masks will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Thursday, May 28 in Texas Rangers Parking Lot R south of Globe Life Field. Please enter through the R1 entrance off Cowboys Way.

Free Music: While the Levitt Pavilion won’t be hosting performances on the lawn until August, its free live-streaming concert series continues! The next event in the Levitt Living Room Series is 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 2. Tune in to Levitt’s Facebook Live or Instagram Live for a live performance by Creed Fisher. 

Free Summer Programs: As the school year winds to a close, the Downtown Library is gearing up for summer with loads of free virtual educational programs for kids and adults, including creative writing workshops, art camps, book clubs and trivia nights.

Every day in so many ways, we are proud to call Arlington home. What acts of kindness would you like to share? Please tell us about them on our social media page, and be sure to tag #ArlingtonKindness and @cityofarlington in your post. 

With gratitude,

Maggie Campbell
President and CEO
Downtown Arlington Management Corporation